Club Notes Week-Ending January 29th

A large crowd assembled in the clubhouse on Saturday 15th January for the 127th Annual Convention.Club members and friends had earlier been remembered at the celebration of 6.30pm Mass in Bohernanave.In his customary comprehensive report Club Secretary Thomas Callanan gave an in depth account of the club activities in 2010,one of the most successful years in the history of the club.He paid due tribute to our Senior hurlers who won back to back titles and also to our Minor and Junior B hurlers on their County championship successes.Our ladies football teams were successful at Junior B and u/14 level.He recalled with pride that wonderful 7 days in September that saw 7 of our players play their part in Tipperary's Senior and u/21 All Ireland victories culminating in Padraic Maher becoming the first Thurles Sarsfields player to captain an All Ireland u/21 team.Lar's Man of the Match award in the All Ireland Final was a wonderful achievement for Lar and the club.Treasurer Philip Leahy presented a detailed account of the club finances which showed that despite the substantial costs involved in running our club and preparing teams, the finances were well under control.He was the source of much praise for his stewardship of the club finances.Club chairman Michael Maher welcomed everyone to convention.In a wide ranging address he reflected on the very successful year the club had on both the local and county scene.For our loyal band of followers 2010 was surely the best of times to be a Blues supporter.At the bedrock of this success was club loyalty and he expressed his deep gratitude to all who worked so tirelessly,players,team managements,his fellow officers and committees .He complimented the outgoing Senior team management on contesting three finals in a row,tasting success on two occasions.He wished Seamus Quinn and his team every success as they took charge of senior team preparation.2011 would see Michael Gleeson following in his fathers footsteps as a selector with the Tipperary Senior hurlers and he wished him well.The challenge ahead was to keep on improving and always strive to go that step further.The current economic crisis was effecting GAA clubs with so many players forced to emigrate to find work.He appealed to club people to do everything in our collective power to keep our members and players working.Perhaps when undertaking work we would consider giving them a turn.Shortly the club would afford members with a trade etc the opportunity to make people aware of their availability on the Club website.In 2011 the club will host a hurling tournament in conjunction with the Munster Hurling final weekend.The organizing committee,headed by Johnny Enright Snr hope to have teams from the UK,USA and Europe compete for the Tom Semple Cup.On the national scene he wished Con Hogan the best of luck in his attempt to become the President elect of the GAA.He wished Michael Dundon health and happiness as he prepared to retire as editor of the Tipperary Star and thanked him for his loyal contribution to Sarsfields as a player,selector and club member.On the club development front the final 2 boxes to be ticked were the refurbishment of the clubhouse and the acquisition of a new pitch and he looked forward to the input and support of all members with both these projects.Finally he sent his best wishes to our Club President Mickey Byrne and looked forward to the publication of his memoirs later in the year.

COUNTY U/21 HURLING FINAL

On Sunday last in Dolla our U/21s had to give second best to a fine Kilruane MacDonaghs side as we attempted to win the championship for the third year in a row.In a see-saw struggle a late flurry of points saw Kilruane emerge victorious in the end.While bitterly disappointed this group of players can hold there heads up high and lost nothing in defeat.They have given us tremendous enjoyment over the last 3 years and their commitment to Sarsfields has been total.We thank them and the management team of Garry,Tony,John and Barry for all their efforts.

JUNIOR HURLING

We wish Trevor Cooke and his team every success as they head to Kileedy on Sunday next January 30th to face Cork champions Doneraile in the Munster Junior B Hurling Final.Throw in is at 2pm and we hope a large Sarsfields contingent will tavel to support the lads.

MEMBERSHIP

Club Registrar Ger Donnelly reminds all members to renew their membership as as possible.ADJOURNED CONVENTIONNotice to all that the adjourned convention will be held in the clubhouse on Thursday February 3rd at 8.30pm.The positions of Club Coaching Officer,Schools Liason Officer,Cultural Officer and ASAP Officer will be filled at the meeting.

BEST WISHESWe extend our best wishes and thanks to Michael Dundon who retires as editor of the Tipperary Star at the end of January.Whether as a long serving player, team selector, or committee member Michael was always a 'true blue' and stalwart of our club. We wish Michael many happy, healthy years in his retirement. Rath De ort a Mhichil.

Best wishes also to John Guiton who retired from the Tipperary Star before Christmas. John's match reports were always characterised with fairness and respect for the players.